Professor of Biblical Studies Speaks at the Center for Women in Leadership’s Visual Museum Symposium

Dedicated to raising up the next generation as an Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies in the College of Christian Faith, Dr. Lindsay Ann Nickens served as a speaker highlighting Rhoda, a young slave girl known for her great faith. Dr. Nickens' presentation was part of the Center for Women in Leadership's Visual Museum Symposium.

Growing up in Eden, North Carolina, Dr. Nickens recalls her parents teaching her about the Bible, church history, and even the Greek alphabet from a young age. From some of her earliest memories, Jesus was a very real presence in her life and continued to be as she grew older.

Beginning her personal relationship with Christ after an altar call one Sunday morning, Dr. Nickens shares how "the realness of Jesus never left her, but a vibrancy and color and richness grew as her faith in Him expanded."

After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies with a concentration in New Testament and a minor in Biblical Studies from Liberty University, Dr. Nickens continued her studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Theology in New Testament followed by a Ph.D. in Old Testament. While completing her master's and doctoral studies, she served on the spiritual life committee, helping plan events for students, and also served as a tutor.

Throughout her career, Dr. Nickens has held a variety of roles, including socializing abused pets at the Humane Society, working as a swim instructor, serving as a Greek and Hebrew tutor, teaching at several schools as a substitute professor, and even spent a period serving as a Chick-fil-A cow.

While working on her dissertation, Dr. Nickens was encouraged to become a professor at DBU by the late Sheila Cook, former First Lady of DBU and a friend from her Sunday School class. Believing Dr. Nickens would be a great fit in the College of Christian Faith, Sheila invited her to an event on campus to experience the University herself.

After stepping onto University Hill, Dr. Nickens soon began serving as an adjunct professor and became the first female professor in the College of Christian Faith. Following the completion of her Ph.D., Dr. Nickens stepped into the role of Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, where she now enjoys immersing students in the context of scripture through courses like Old and New Testament, Wisdom Literature, The DBU Experience, and Developing a Christian Mind. Alongside her role as professor, she serves as a sponsor and mentor for Sigma Chi Eta, a DBU sorority.

As she continues teaching the next generation about the historical and cultural context of the Bible, Dr. Nickens also serves as a public speaker at various church conferences and organizations.

In February 2026, the Center for Women in Leadership hosted the Visual Museum Symposium at the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, which focused on women's perspectives in the Bible and church history. Dr. Nickens spoke on Rhoda from Acts 12:12-15, drawing from her previous research over girlhood slavery in the first century.

Dr. Nickens' lecture was titled, "Revering Rhoda: An Analysis of the Slave Girl in Acts 12:12-15," which followed a preview article on her topic titled, "Revering Rhoda: From Zero to Hero."

The goal of Dr. Nickens' lecture was to highlight what girlhood slavery was like during the first century and how that shapes people's understanding of the young slave girl, Rhoda.

Throughout the lecture, Dr. Nickens pointed out the parallels between Rhoda's faith and other notable women figures in the Bible such as Mary Magdalene. She shared how both women had shown great faith in telling others about Jesus, were both dismissed by the people, and ended up leaving them amazed when their testimonies were true. Dr. Nickens summarized this idea by saying, "Luke emphasizes that just as these women are revered for their faith as the first evangelists of Jesus' resurrection, so also is the 'least' of the world—a slave girl who had no rights in society, even to her own body—to be revered for her faith."

Although Dr. Nickens was initially nervous about speaking on a topic outside of her dissertation research, she was soon encouraged as people began interacting with the material and asking questions. One woman's comment made a meaningful impact on Dr. Nickens as she shared how the presentation had altered her heart as she had never seen a positive representation of slave voices in Scripture before. "I figured that no matter how I felt about my presentation, it was all worth it for her," Dr. Nickens said.

Dr. Nickens plans to continue her public speaking in the future and encourages others in their own pursuits of public speaking to pray, have humility, and be willing to accept and admit what they do not know.

Alongside her roles as professor and public speaker, Dr. Nickens is continuing her work with Rhoda from Acts 12:12-15 through a chapter in Vindicating the Vixens 2, the second volume in the series.

Currently, Dr. Nickens attends Park Cities Baptist Church, where she is involved in the Esther Sisters Sunday School class and serves in the Children's Ministry with first-grade students.

Looking ahead, Dr. Nickens is excited to continue her work with the Old and New Testaments, Rhoda, and as a public speaker while mentoring students and watching them thrive as they grow in their faith.